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If you are backing your bags for boarding onto a flight and wish to carry a pocket knife as it has multiple uses, it is essential to be familiar with the latest rules and regulations. In this matter, the airport rules are as per the commands of federal law. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) of the Department of Homeland Security is only responsible for ensuring security at the airport’s check-in points. It offers a list of restraints (must not haves) and constraints (must haves) if you wish to carry pocket knives or blades while on plane.

After the 9/11 attacks, it was only in 2013 that TSA announced giving permission to carry certain pocket knives while traveling through flight. This is because it was deemed that the hackers had carried several types of knives and blades for the attack. Therefore, to sustain the security level and yet allow passengers to carry on with their normal tasks, TSA had proposed carrying some knives. However, today, these knives are still banned in airplane cabins although they can be kept in checked luggage.

Which Types of Pocket Knives are Allowed?

With respect to the dramatic change in airport policy throughout the world, small knives are now being allowed as a part of carry-on bag on commercial airplanes. However, this may be still prohibited on American airlines. Passengers on flight can carry pocket knives whose blades are small. Well, these are no tactical knives and that most Swiss Knives are still prohibited.

According to the new regulations, pocket knives with blades not more than 6 centimetres or 2.36 inches in length as well as not more than half inches as width at its widest point are allowed. Similarly, such pocket knives should not have a fixed or locking blade, and that there should be no molded grip or molded handle as well. You can carry such small knives into the cabin either via pocket or a hand bag.

The aforementioned criteria are highlighted in “Changes to Prohibited Items List “document that TSA had prepared. In short, small pocket knives that were previously banned in cabins of planes, in the wake of 9/11 terrorist attacks, are now allowed in U.S. planes. In other countries too, there is no issue in carrying these small knives. However, it is vital to go through the rules and regulations of that country from where you departing and to where you will arrive, as well.

However, it is also true that these improved restrictions are still facing many protests as well as have many scratching their heads in the Everyday Carry (EDC) community.

Which Pocket Knives You Can Take in, on Any Plane?

Regardless of the plane you will be boarding on, here is a list of some pocket knives that you can consider carrying on it without any hesitation.

Leatherman Style

Leatherman Squirt CS4

Swiss Army Money Clip Knife

Buck Chairman Series Companion

Swisscart Lite

Gerber Artifact

Gerber VISE

Wenger Esquire

Victorinox Swiss Army Classic SD and Lime Classic Edelweiss

In short, look for TSA-compliant pocket knives if you wish to carry one on a plane. Or else, you might not be allowed to carry a knife at all.